Founder & CEO, LifeLine Global Consulting · Detroit

Capital is ready. I make sure small businesses are too.

Business strategist, author and faith-driven CEO. Since 2010, I've helped under-resourced entrepreneurs get ready to borrow, bid and grow, and connected them with the CDFIs, foundations and funders looking for them.

Met me at OFN42 in New Orleans? Welcome. Let's keep the conversation going.

Dr. Nicole Parker
$43.1M
Contracts secured
413+
Jobs created
151+
Contractors served
99%
Average satisfaction

Outcomes from the programs I lead through LifeLine Global Consulting (2026 Impact Report).

My story

I didn't study the access gap. I ran into it.

I'm the first African American woman in the United States to own a Tuffy Auto Center. As a business owner, I saw how often good entrepreneurs were shut out of capital and contracts, not for lack of talent, but for lack of readiness, relationships and support.

So in 2010 I founded LifeLine Global Consulting in Detroit to close that gap. Today LifeLine runs Detroit's Motor City Contractor Fund and Ignite Detroit with partners including Invest Detroit, the Gilbert Family Foundation and the Detroit Development Fund.

I believe you can build with peace instead of pressure: with a clear plan, real structure and room for grace. That's how I run my company, and it's what I teach.

As featured in
Crain's Detroit Shoutout Michigan The Steve Harvey Show
Work with me

Three ways we can build together.

For funders, CDFIs & foundations

Partner on a program

Through LifeLine, we design and run cohort-based business-readiness programs, so your capital meets small businesses that are prepared to borrow, bid and grow. Recruitment, coaching, curriculum, tracking and impact reporting, handled.

Get the LifeLine packet →
For conferences & organisations

Invite me to speak

Keynotes, panels and workshops on small-business readiness, access to capital and contracts, and building with peace instead of pressure.

Ask about speaking →
For entrepreneurs

Learn the method

My planner and workbook, plus workshops like the 90 Day CEO Planning Workshop, help you turn big ideas into a plan you'll actually follow.

Explore resources →
The work behind the name

LifeLine Global Consulting

Every LifeLine program runs on DIMES, our program-delivery framework, so partners get a pipeline that is designed, managed, measured and sustained.

D
Design

Built around your goals, market and partners.

I
Implement

Recruitment, cohort launch, coaching and technical assistance.

M
Management

Day-to-day administration, tracking and reporting.

E
Evaluation

Outcomes measured against your metrics.

S
Support

Ongoing connection to capital, contracts and each other.

Motor City Contractor Fund

A 10-month cohort program moving experienced Detroit contractors toward bonding capacity, larger contracts and long-term growth.

MotorCityContractorFund.org →

Ignite Detroit

A self-paced, rolling-enrollment program for early-stage contractors: financial literacy, technical assistance and lending readiness.

ignitedetroitcontractors.org →
Books & resources

Plan with focus. Build with grace.

Coming soon Power Principles To Turn Your Dreams Into Reality

The book

The principles behind the planner and workbook. Be the first to know when it's out.

Join the waitlist →
Unpacking Business Planner cover

Unpacking Business Planner

Plan your business with focus, one quarter at a time.

Get it on Amazon →
Power Principles workbook cover

Power Principles Workbook

Functional Areas of Business: put the principles to work in every part of your business.

Get it on Amazon →
Let's talk

Building a pipeline in your market? Let's start with 30 minutes.

Pick a time that works for you. I'll come ready with ideas for your market and your partners.